Can anyone tell me if an Eliminator came with the toggle switches (4 in center) of dash? I found what appears to be an Eliminator, but it has toggle switches and from what I’ve read here…it seems that they did not. The Marti report that has been shown with the car says it is…but then why does it have toggle switches? Has this car had vin changed?
Thank you.
Are they the XR7 69/70 rocker switches or 67/68 toggle switches
They weren’t standard in an Eliminator. Maybe a previous owner put them in to control the interior lighting
They are the 69-70 type. So…how do I know for sure that the vin hasn’t been changed and it’s a true eliminator?
Are there other places that the VIN number is stamped into the body or frame that I can verify it matches the plate on dash???
This looks like a 69. Where are the seat back releases located? At the bottom of the seats or the middle?
in the middle of seat.
The vin is also stamped on the inner top of the fender apron just in front of the shock tower. You will have to unbolt the top of the fender and pull it back to see the vin number (see picture attached with vin circled). If the Cougar has had rust or collision repair the front inner panel could have been changed then the vin in that location would no longer be there. If you find no vin number on the fender apron (check both sides) lets us know and we can tell you how to determine if the panels have been changed. I take it you already verified that it is and Eliminator vin and just want to check and make sure the vin hasn’t be swapped? If not get a Marti report: Marti Auto Works - Marti Report
Looks like you have the EA code interior which is correct for Eliminator.
Yes the marti report says that the vin that is reported is an eliminator but like you say…I want to verify that this is the car that the title is actually for.
Welcome to the forum, ntimodatr! - cool username, btw 
Those toggle switches in the center dash are “easily” changed. So just as you will occasionally see Eliminators with a woodgrain dash, you will also see them with the toggle switches. Don’t rely on anything except the VIN stampings and proper documentation.
It looks like you are talking about this one, that recently ended on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Mercury-Cougar-Eliminator-not-a-clone-no-rust-ground-up-restore-/331533487395?fb_source=other_multiline&fb_action_ids=922407051116193&fb_action_types=og.shares&action_object_map=+890687720996050+&action_ref_map=++&action_type_map=++og.shares++&nma=true&si=CW9z7q5iOtlzlv8rSoRNsIkaW84%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
As mentioned above, you may have to loosen a fender slightly and scooch it back enough to see the VIN stamp on the top of the shock tower ~ should be stamped at the top of BOTH shock towers, so choose whichever is easiest for you Of course also verify the dash tag matches the door.
Good luck, and keep us posted!
Like Mike said, they’re easily changed. So it wasn’t uncommon for owners in the 70’s to install the rocker switches as a way to control their added-on fog lights, stereo amps, radar detectors or whatever other crazy mods they made back in the day. Some buyers have been lucky and found the original piece in the glovebox or under a seat, but once removed they were more often lost to the ages.
Looks like a neat car. I also noticed the console is from a Mustang and it was originally an automatic car.
Man you guys are on top of it!!! I looked at that car several times and didn’t put 2 and 2 together until I saw your post. Guess that’s why you keep an eye out for the eliminators!!! Keep up the good work, I love watching your thread. Derail over now…
Looks like a California car so there probably won’t be any or not very much undercoating. Remove the right front tire and look up to the under side of the front fender apron and you should see the VIN. It will be reversed looking at it from there but you can read it. The car more than likely is real and the front seats[although they can be changed] are from an Eliminator as mentioned.
